Saudi-led coalition jets hit Yemen targets two days after announcing an end to air strikes

Sanaa (AFP) - Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck several Yemeni rebel positions in fresh raids overnight, witnesses said Thursday, two days after the alliance announced an end to its month-long aerial campaign.

The raids hit rebel positions close to the capital Sanaa, around the third city Taez, and in the central town of Yarim, the witnesses said.

Residents said strikes were also carried out in the southern province of Lahj as well as around the approach to the main southern city of Aden, where clashes between rebels and fighters loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi raged overnight.

Riyadh said Tuesday the coalition had halted its month-long campaign against anti-Hadi forces after eliminating the threat posed to Saudi Arabia and its neighbours by the rebels' air and missile capabilities.

But it vowed to carry out targeted strikes on the rebels when necessary.

On Wednesday it launched new raids on Shiite Huthi rebels who overran a major base of pro-Hadi troops in Taez, where further strikes were reported overnight.

Northeast of Sanaa, raids targeted positions held by the Huthis and rebel troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

And in Yarim, warplanes hit an old university building used as a headquarters by the rebels, according to residents.

The Huthis and their allies remain in control of Sanaa and swathes of the country while Hadi has taken refuge in Riyadh.